# HOW IS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED FOR WELDING HELMETS?

Today, safety plays a fundamental role for workers across different industries. Welders, as the surgeons of metal, are exposed to various risk factors, among which are metallic fumes and particulate matter that daily affect the health of many arc welding workers.

This type of illness is silent and worsens over the years. The same applies to one of the most important organs for human beings: eyesight. For metal surgeons, this organ is essential for carrying out their work activities. Several companies in the welding and cutting products manufacturing sector are currently developing technology to prevent welders from suffering occupational diseases and to ensure they use personal protective equipment properly without experiencing any discomfort. In this article, we will analyze the technology behind welding helmets from the leading brands in visual technology: SKOLTS, OPTREL, and 3M.

Although these brands are not very well known in Latin America, they are leaders in the technological development of welding helmets. 

The name SKOLTS comes from an ancient tribe located in Scandinavia, accustomed to living in the most dangerous environments and extreme conditions. Today, SKOLTS designs and manufactures safety equipment for welders and for extreme conditions.

The latest innovation from this type of helmet is SKOLTS’ CX10 technology, which integrates an ultra-sensitive low-light sensor and an ultra-fast response time for an unbeatable switching speed. This helps ensure the operator is not affected at the moment the arc is struck. Excellent technical and technological features such as HD vision, ULTRA HD, and MAX VISION provide better optics and visual comfort for welding operators.

DESIGN

A curved design with a transparent spatter-resistant cover lens over the optical lens provides maximum clarity. The helmet is fully adjustable to fit all head and body types. It features full neck coverage, a locking helmet, providing extra protection for other areas of the face, and also includes a product designed for confined space work.

SAFETY

The wide-view auto-darkening lens switches from light to dark in 1/25,000 of a second and provides continuous eye protection against UV and IR radiation, even when the lens is in light state mode. These helmets meet quality standards, and the testing they undergo is so rigorous that operators using them show noticeably better visual relaxation while welding. In other words, this type of technology prevents eye fatigue during long work shifts.

SENSORS

The welding filter features 2 and 4 sensors that react independently when the welding arc is struck, enabling near-instantaneous darkening of the filter. They are ideal for processes requiring high arc sensitivity, such as the GTAW process, starting from an amperage range as low as 5 A.

BATTERIES

This type of helmet is designed for long work shifts, featuring LONG LIFE technology designed to extend battery life.

On the other hand, OPTREL were pioneers in Germany in the manufacture of welding helmets. The OPTREL group includes highly specialized companies such as Optrel Tec AG, which brings together the entire product development process.

Driven by the desire to provide welders with a better working life, OPTREL has been researching new technologies for years to improve welders’ vision. Thanks to Crystal Lens Technology (CLT), OPTREL has now achieved a quantum leap that will revolutionize the way welders see their work.

Ease of use has a positive impact on the health and performance of every worker. OPTREL customers have known this for years. The headgear is the central connection between a person and their helmet, which is why it plays a central role in matters of comfort and ergonomics.

Now, OPTREL engineers have set a new benchmark with the new IsoFit® headgear. It is the only product in the world that can be adjusted in width, length, and height to fit any head shape: three-dimensionally. That is why we consider it the perfect fit.

What seemed impossible is solved with an ingenious construction that, for the first time, uses a padding adjustment system connecting a two-layer construction with two stabilizers at the forehead and the back of the head.

Finally, the American company 3M, an abbreviation of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is a US multinational corporation dedicated to researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing diversified technologies, offering products and services in various areas such as industrial equipment. Although it has developed a great deal of technology across many product lines, 3M is a company that invests many hours in research and development for the general well-being of workers worldwide. The Speedglas welding helmet technology was acquired in 2004 by the multinational 3M. 3M acquired all of Hornell’s assets, including the brand and patents for the Adflo and Speedglas auto-darkening helmets. Speedglas helmets were subsequently sold under the 3M brand. There are currently several brands that share the same technology and have improved welder performance. Speedglas auto-darkening filters darken the moment an arc is struck and return to the light state (shade 3) when welding stops, maintaining constant UV/IR protection and excellent optical quality. The user can select dark shades between 5, 8, 9 and 13. The programming increases reliability and arc detection capability. Good viewing area (54 x 107 mm) and optical quality, light shade 3 and seven dark shades (5, 8, 9–12, 13). The auto-darkening function can be locked for grinding operations. Different sensitivity levels are user-selectable for all types of arc welding. Compatible with all welding processes: Stick, TIG, MIG. Intelligent shade switching during continuous low-amperage TIG welding (1 A). Three delay settings user-selectable to adjust the time it takes for the filter to switch from dark to light (40–1,300 ms). Solar panel to extend battery life (approx. 2,500 hours). Complies with European Standard EN 379 for eye protection in welding operations, with ANSI Z87.1-2003, and with CSA Z94.3-2007.